Famine is one of the biggest causes of death in the history of the world. Famine is one of the most devastating natural disasters. In a famine, village after village, city after city became depopulated. The body of the frozen skeleton remains lying. And those bodies turn into food for crows and vultures. Let's find out the story of some of the worst famines in the history of the world.
1. Great Famine of China (1959–1981)
The famine in China from 1959 to 1971 was the most brutal and terrible famine in history. Researchers estimate that about 30 million people died in the famine, and according to renowned historian Frank Dicott, about 45 million people died. According to official estimates, 11 out of every 700 people in China's most populous province, Sichuan, die of starvation.
Yu Dihang, secretary of a government party in Xinjiang, said about the Great Famine in China.
"I went to one village and saw 100 bodies, then I saw another 100 bodies in another village. No one paid attention to them. People say that the dog was eating the corpse. But that is not true. Because before that people ate dogs. ”
The famine is attributed to unfavorable weather, social pressures, economic conditions and radical changes in agriculture imposed by government regulations. Mao Zedong, the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, brought about a great change by stopping private ownership in agriculture after coming to power. Failure to abide by that policy would result in various persecutions on the Chinese people. Social pressures in terms of policies and business imposed by the government create instability in the state. At that time cooperative farming and private farms were banned. Millions of farmers were forced to build iron and steel. The result was a food crisis and a terrible famine.
2. Famine in China in 1906
দুর্ Famine in China in 1906
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Before 1959, the Chinese people experienced another famine in 1906. It is said to be the second worst famine in the history of the world. About 25 million people died during this time. On an average, about 5,000 people die of starvation every day.
The cause of the famine was attributed to the terrible floods that occurred at that time. East-Central China was hit by a severe storm and flood at that time. At that time almost 100% of the crop was destroyed due to floods. The result was a terrible food crisis and the second tragic famine in history.
3. Manvantar of the Indian Subcontinent (180)
্বManvantar of the Indian Subcontinent (180)
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Due to the famine in Bengal in 117, it was called Manvantar in the seventy-sixth century. Excessive rainfall and floods have destroyed almost all crops. At that time the situation deteriorated due to the violence of the middlemen. The revenue collected in 181 was Rs 5,22,000 more than Rs 15.21 million in the previous year, whereas the previous year there was a famine. Thus the suffering of the people reaches its climax due to the looting of profits and the pursuit of additional revenue. As a result, the famine-stricken areas became depopulated.
There were also many famines in the Indian subcontinent from 163 to 18. Although Bengal was relatively miserable at that time, Bombay, Madras, Mahipur, Punjab and some parts of the Northeast were hit by severe famine. At that time about 1 crore people died due to lack of food.
4. Fifty Manvantar in Bengal (1943)
The famine in Bengal in 1943 is known as Panchasher Manvantar (Bengali 1350). Around 3 million people across Bengal died of starvation in this manbantra.
Forty-three Manbantras began in World War II when Japan occupied neighboring Myanmar (then Burma). At that time Burma was a major source of rice imports. Huge quantities of food were stored for the British colonial ruling army and war personnel deployed in India. As a result, the price of rice rises abnormally. At that time there was a possibility of Japanese occupation of India. So the British government took some measures in advance so that the food would not fall into the hands of the enemy after the occupation. Boats and bullock carts were destroyed or confiscated in Bengal. The distribution system collapsed. The cry for food fell all over Bengal. On the way, people start looting without eating in the desert. Thousands of hungry people were flocking to Kolkata for a handful of food. It has been seen that these losers are falling on the road in groups and fighting with each other to share the leftovers next to the garbage. At the same time, British officials and their flattering Indians are having a meal at home.
5. Famine in Russia (1921–1922)
দুর্ Famine in Russia (1921-1922)
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The reason for the famine in Russia in 1921 was sudden political change and unfavorable weather. At that time 5 million people died.
At that time people were forced to do very disgusting things for food. Many have eaten insects, clay, leaves, dead animals, and even human flesh. In an effort to survive, many have even eaten meat to kill their own children. Many have dug graves and eaten the flesh of dead people. Police reports of homicide were ignored at the police station at the time, because then homicide was considered a way of survival.
. Famine in North Korea (1994–1996)
N famine in North Korea (1994-1996)
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North Korea is one of the countries most affected by the recent famine. From 1994 to 1996, North Korea faced a severe famine. Of the 2.2 billion people in North Korea, about 3.5 million died.
The main causes of the famine were economic mismanagement and the loss of cooperation from the Soviet Union. In addition, continuous floods and droughts are considered to be one of the reasons.
. Famine in Vietnam (1944–1945)
দুর্ Famine in Vietnam (1944-1945)
Source: wikimedia
During the Japanese occupation of World War II, Vietnam faced a severe famine. The occupation of France and Japan in World War II was largely blamed for the famine. On the one hand people are starving, on the other hand France and Japan use rice and wheat for fuel at power stations. During the French occupation, the administrative system in Vietnam was restructured and France forcibly took money from Vietnam. In addition, in August 1944, severe floods caused extensive crop damage. Due to these reasons, there was a famine in Vietnam and about 2 million people died in this famine.
